The Philippine Red Cross (PRC) paid tribute to a pilot who was among those who died in the tragic C-130 plane crash in Patikul, Sulu over the weekend.
“We mourn our fallen hero,” said PRC Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Senator Richard Gordon referring to Major Michael Vincent Benolerao. “When we needed his service, he was quick to respond,” he added. Unfortunately, the C-130 aircraft mishap that occurred in Sulu on July 4 claimed his life.
Gordon, along with the members of the PRC, are mourning the death of Benolerao who was fondly remembered for being the “affable pilot” who flew in medical supplies from Changsha Airport, Hunan, China to address the increasingly dangerous virus that was threatening the Philippines.
On April 28, 2020, Benolerao was accompanied by PRC volunteers in the C-130 flight which was used to bring in laboratory machines, swabs, reagents and consumables for the PRC Molecular Laboratory.
“We lost one of our own in our fight against this deadly disease,” Gordon said. “Our deepest sympathies to his family, his colleagues, and the Air Force, and our eternal gratitude to a true frontliner,” he added.
Following the plane crash which killed over 50 people, Gordon earlier called for continuous training and stronger maintenance operations for the troops.
READ:
https://mb.com.ph/2021/07/06/strong-maintenance-operations-continuous-training-after-sulu-c-130-crash-needed-ph-red-cross/